The local cafe was warm, brightly lit, and smelled strongly of freshly ground roasted espresso beans today. Neutral wall tones, polished hardwood oak floors, and a framed USA flag painting prominently created a cozy atmosphere inside. Ethan changed out of his formal navy suit jacket into a comfortable grey sweatshirt from his gym bag.
He sat alone at a small wooden table near the back window, staring blankly into his steaming ceramic mug. The sudden rejection on the street still weighed heavily on his mind, stinging more than he cared to admit.
Ethan: Why did I do that? I looked like a complete fool out there.
The bell above the glass front door chimed softly as new customers walked inside from the warm afternoon street. Ethan didn't look up, assuming it was just another busy office worker running in for an afternoon caffeine fix.
Soft footsteps approached his corner table, stopping right beside his wooden chair in the quiet cafe corner. He glanced up, expecting a barista clearing away empty mugs from the surrounding empty tables.
Instead, the blond woman in the grey blazer stood right in front of him with a gentle smile. The sharp, cold look from twenty minutes ago was completely gone, replaced by a warm, curious expression.
Chloe: Mind if I sit down for a quick minute?
Ethan almost choked on his breath, pulling his hands back from the warm table center in complete shock.
Ethan: You... wait, you're the woman from the street.
Chloe: I am. I saw you walk in here while I was heading into my office building across the street.
Ethan: Look, if I made you uncomfortable earlier, I really want to apologize. That wasn't my intention at all.
Chloe: Hey, I saw how sincere you were. Let's give it a chance.
Ethan stared at her, unable to process the sudden change in her tone and body language.
Ethan: Really? You walked away so fast out there.
Chloe: I was on my way to a high-stakes meeting with an estate lawyer regarding my late grandmother's inheritance tax.
Ethan: Oh, wow. That sounds extremely stressful.
Chloe: It was. I was overwhelmed, distracted, and caught entirely off guard by a stranger approaching me on the street.
Ethan: I completely understand. I shouldn't have put you on the spot like that in public.
Chloe pulled out the wooden chair across from him and sat down, placing her leather briefcase on the floor.
Chloe: My name is Chloe, by the way.
Ethan: I'm Ethan. It's really nice to officially meet you, Chloe.
She smiled, leaning back against the wooden chair as the cafe radio played soft music in the background.
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